Description
A delicious and vibrant orange layer cake perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup orange zest (from about 4 oranges)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1/3 cup neutral oil
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 drops orange food coloring gel (optional)
- 1/3 cup milk
- 6 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup orange juice (from about 4 oranges, strained to remove pulp and seeds)
- 12 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1 pod vanilla bean (scraped OR 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract)
- 5 cups powdered sugar (plus more for decoration)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Orange food coloring gel
- Green food coloring gel
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease two or three 8-inch cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand-up mixer with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl with an electric mixer), add the sugar and orange zest. Beat together.
- Add the butter and vanilla extract; beat until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. If desired, add 2 drops of food coloring gel.
- Pour in the oil and beat once more.
- In a measuring cup, combine the milk, egg whites, and strained orange juice; whisk together.
- Turn the mixer to low speed and, alternating between the dry ingredients and the liquid ingredients, add them to the butter/sugar mixture until smooth.
- Divide the batter among the prepared baking pans and smooth it out. Transfer to the oven to bake for 20 to 22 minutes, until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
- Allow the cake layers to cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack and cool to room temperature.
- In the bowl of a stand-up mixer (or a medium bowl with an electric mixer), add the cream cheese and beat until smooth.
- Add the butter and beat for about 10 seconds.
- Add the powdered sugar, salt, vanilla and heavy cream. Beat for a full 2 minutes.
- Divide the frosting into two bowls, adding food coloring as desired. Transfer the frosting to piping bags.
- Add frosting to the top of the cake and smooth it out.
- Decorate with orange frosting to resemble oranges and pipe on leaves.
- Store the cake at room temperature in a colander or covered with plastic wrap.
Notes
- This cake stays fresh for about 2 to 3 days.
- For added decoration, you can use sprinkles.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg